Nestled in the hills of Pittsburgh lies a unique stereo shop, carrying a wide variety of products and brands. You might have visited the attached record store without even knowing what lies above it! If you head upstairs, you’ll find a haven for hifi lovers.
Allow me to introduce Northern Audio: a one-of-a-kind store that will wow you with every turn. Beautifully curated displays not only look great but also sound fantastic. These guys aren’t just for show, either. Between Mark and Greg, they have decades of experience with hifi, and they are excellent guides to help you along your hifi journey. This isn’t your typical stereo shop. Mark prides himself on carrying products that range from the well-known to small boutique brands.
Mark and Greg also pride themselves on taking care of their clients. With your experience and satisfaction being their number one priority, you can rest assured you are in good hands! They bring a passion for audio that can be infectious, so be prepared when you visit. You might just hear something you love!
Nordost is always thrilled to receive and share glowing reviews from journalists and experts in the industry. However, when we get testimonials from our devoted and satisfied customers, it means that much more!
Thank you to Faris from Portland Oregon, for sharing his Nordost journey with us. Putting together a dream system takes a lot of work, a lot of time, and a lot of listening. We are so happy that we could help make his vision of an inviting, relaxing, musical sanctuary come to fruition!
“Three years ago, I started the search for a truly high-end audio system and a listening room dedicated for that. To me, such a listening room had to not only be musical but inviting and relaxing, sight and sound blending together to make the perfect environment to spend a lot of time in. I wanted a warm musical system, with grand sound stage and presence, a detailed yet true fit for the type of music I listen to most often, namely Classical and Jazz.
Being an electrical engineer by profession also meant I paid a lot of attention to the design details of all the equipment I auditioned and considered. For warm sound, I knew I wanted some element of tubes. For punchy and detailed sound I knew it also had to have the resolution and precision of solid state with absolutely no distortion. I found all of this in T+A Amplifiers & Preamplifier paired with Sonus Faber Lilium speakers. Here, T+A’s top of the line HV (high voltage) components provided the absolute power, high current, and unbelievable reference class resolution and noise floor that is hard to beat. The Liliums were as warm to listen to as they are to look at, and in addition to that can be Tri-Amped. So, the amplification comprised of one stereo amplifier for super-low-base, and two mono-block amplifiers (which are hybrid tube and solid state stages) configured in high current class A bi-amp mode to drive the highs, mids and high-base. Add to that T+A reference streaming DAC, reference SACD transport, and Acoustic Signature turntable with DSAudio Master3 Optical preamp and cartridge.
To connect all of the above 10 components I selected Nordost Valhalla V2 Reference Cables thanks to the advice and support from the wonderful people at Pearl Audio Video in Portland, who’ve been with me since day one in this search. I was impressed with the auditions I had with a few Nordost cables and from reading through the specs and construction. This setup includes three sets of speaker cables, power cables, several XLR interconnects with a couple of special splitter XLR to accommodate having only one preamp ‘out’ to feed three amplifiers. Thanks to Nordost for working with us to accommodate this custom request. The Valhalla V2 cables do a perfect job conveying what this system is truly capable of, with no effort or interference. I believe it was the best decision I made and a perfect match to this high-end system.
It all came together superbly, thanks to all the engineering work that went into this, from electronics to cables to speakers. I am enjoying the music and the time spent in this sanctuary room I call ‘Sala Stradivari’, where every moment is bliss among the true sounds of instruments such as violins cellos pianos saxophones and vocals. It is like being planted in the middle of a concert hall or jazz club the moment you hit Play.”
We have received an exciting amount of enthusiasm for our new QNET7 Network Switch since its launch this past spring. With this enthusiasm comes a lot of curiosity and questions. So we wanted to share some of the most frequently asked questions regarding our QNET7 here!
Q: What is the QNET7
A: The QNET7 is Nordost’s high-performance Layer-2 Ethernet switch, designed to enhance digital audio quality. Unlike typical modified consumer-grade switches, it minimizes noise and jitter for a cleaner signal path and superior sound quality. It features seven specialized ports with varying speeds and functions, including one offering optical connectivity. The QNET7 Network Switch delivers improved clarity, imaging, and musical fidelity.
Q: How does the QNET7 differ from the original QNET?
A: The QNET is already considered a high-performance network switch, and the principal design concepts of both network switches are similar. However, several distinct elements in the QNET7 offer impressive sonic improvements.
It embeds the traces in its multi-layer PCB design, increasing signal speeds, eliminating crosstalk, and protecting the signal from ground noise.
It uses nine separated, completely independent, ultra-low noise linear power supplies within the device.
It features two onboard temperature-compensated, high-precision clocks.
Port 7 is a fixed 1000Mbps (1G) SFP port compatible with external 1000Base-T (IEEE 802.3ab) and 1000BASE-LX/SX [802.3z-1998 (CL38)] SFP transceivers/modules, supported by single- and multi-mode fibers.
Q: How do I know which SFP modules are compatible with the QNET7 to use in “Port 7”?
Integrate the QRT Stand Mount along with Nordost Sort Kones, which can be used to support both the QNET7 Network Switch and the QSOURCE Linear Power Supply.
Use Nordost Ethernet Cables, available in a range of specifications and price points, to upgrade your digital system.
Q: Can I use the QSOURCE Cable I use for my QPOINT or “original” QNET to power my QNET7 with my QSOURCE?
A: No. For the protection of your products, each cable connector is uniquely keyed. You will need to purchase a dedicated QNET7 QSOURCE Cable to power your QNET7 with the QSOURCE Linear Power Supply.
If you have any additional questions, or would like to arrange a demonstration of the QNET7 Network Switch, contact your local Nordost Dealer today!
When the hifi discussion turns to cables, the conversation often defaults to extremes: hyper-expensive materials and complicated designs, or skepticism that drives you to resort to spools bought at your local hardware store to patch a system together. But not everything needs to be an extreme. It’s important to recognize that, in the context of an audio system, cables are more than just wires. They’re critical components acting as the conduit for information. As a listener, you rely on cables to feed your audio gear, transferring that information into music.
That said, cable designs don’t have to be on the verge of unbelievable to deliver sonic benefits; just look at Leif 3. Nordost’s Leif 3 series is engineered to bring the kind of resolution, speed, and musical vitality that beats out much more costly, esoteric designs. While Leif 3 may be at the base of Nordost’s hierarchy of cables, it isn’t the starting point of cable design either. It is where we think high fidelity begins.
But what makes Leif 3 cables different from other options on the market? Here are the facts to help you see what Leif 3 really is.
Fact 1: Leif 3 isn’t basic, it’s foundational.
Despite its “entry-level” label, Leif 3 is anything but a beginner cable. It benefits heavily from the R&D and designs that make up Nordost’s more reference products and is where that high-end technology first becomes accessible to real-world music lovers. The technology used here represents the core, stripped-down principles upon which all our other products are built. And Leif 3 is the latest generation of this product line, which means more refined, more resolved, and more complete than ever.
Fact 2: Leif 3 offers all the cables needed to complete a system.
Will you hear the difference when you change just one cable in your system? Perhaps. But are you getting the full benefit of any cable brand when you have a mismatched cable system? Absolutely not (See Audio Cable Looms Explained).
The “loom effect” matters. That is why Leif 3 offers the opportunity to wire your entire system using cables that share the same design and sonic signature: Power cords, analog and digital interconnects, tonearm, subwoofer, USB, Ethernet, and speaker cables. When you hear the signal travel from source to speaker without having to compete with conflicting sonic characteristics, you have a more coherent and realistic reproduction of sound.
Fact 3: Micro Mono-Filament makes a measurable difference.
Nordost’s patented Micro Mono-Filament technology is introduced in Leif 3 Power Cords and continues on through Nordost’s other cable ranges in increasingly advanced forms.
Most cables suffer from signal loss and slower speeds because of dielectric absorption. In other words, when a material touches the surface of a conductor, the signal gets distorted. However, Micro Mono-Filament separates the conductor from its insulation by intricately and uniformly wrapping each conductor in a single strand of FEP Mono-Filament before encasing it in an extruded layer of high-quality FEP. This highly precise process creates an air dielectric around each conductor, reducing dielectric contact by up to 85%, resulting in:
Lower capacitance
Faster signal transmission
Excellent mechanical damping
Fact 4: Leif 3 cables have no filters, no tone control, no gimmicks.
Many cable manufacturers add passive filters, damping materials, and esoteric designs that end up compressing dynamics, driving up price, and altering sonic output. Nordost avoids that completely, and Leif 3 cables are no exception.
What makes Leif 3 a success is not what Nordost adds to the sound, it’s that the Nordost cables get out of the way of the sound, leaving the listener with an impression of the music, not the cables themselves.
Fact 5: You can hear the difference Leif 3 Cables make with your own ears.
Cable construction matters, even in entry to mid-level systems. Poorly engineered cables limit even modest gear, masking what your system is capable of.
In blind tests and demos, cable upgrades reveal:
Increased textual, lifelike sound
Improved rhythm, pacing, and dynamic drive
Expanded soundstage
Greater decay time times and sustains to notes
Nordost demonstrates these differences at every audio show and event we attend around the world, with live demos. Authorized Nordost Dealers make these same demonstrations, sometimes in the comfort of your own listening room. Find a Nordost retailer near you today to hear the difference for yourself!
In many ways, Leif 3 is the most important family of cables Nordost makes. It opens the door to audio improvements based on science, with repeatable and reliable results, and offers benefits that scale across through the line, continuing to Norse, Valhalla, and Odin cables.
Whether you’re assembling your first serious sound system or refining one you already own, Leif 3 provides a foundation that helps you to get the most from the audio components you love.
Nordost products are designed to allow you to enjoy your favorite performances as they were intended to be heard. All of us here are passionate about great music, and want to share our passion with you. Each one of us has our own style… We listen to a wide variety of artists and genres but, in a way, we appreciate them all. We thought that we would share a few of the songs on our own personal playlists with you each month. Some may be classics, some may be brand new, some may not even be to your tastes, but we hope that there is something here for everyone.
Here are some of the songs that we will have on rotation this October.
You can now listen to our monthly playlist here: TIDAL | SPOTIFY | QOBUZ
My Girls My Girls – The Kills – God Games
Veto – SOHN – Tremors
The Long Road – Pearl Jam – Merkin Ball
Your Direction – Goose – Your Direction
Crooked Tree – Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway – Crooked Tree
Sweet Dreams – Marcin – Sweet Dreams
Paradis Perdus – Christine and the Queens – Chaleur Humaine
All Night Long (feat. Take 6) – Jacob Collier, Metropole Orkest, Jules Buckley, Take 6 – Djesse Vol. 1
You’re the Reflection of the Moon on the Water – Grant Hart – Hot Wax
Age of Consent – 2015 Remaster – New Order – Power Corruption and Lies
Nordost is pleased to announce the appointment of Amy Hansen as the new Vice President of North American Sales, effective October 1, 2025.
Amy has been a vital part of the Nordost team for over 13 years and is uniquely qualified for a position of this scope. Throughout her tenure at Nordost, she has held a range of key positions within the company—from Order Entry Administrator to Purchasing Coordinator, Product Deviation Manager for global sales, and most recently, Regional Sales Manager. This progression has given her a comprehensive understanding of all facets of our operation, deep market insights, and a steadfast commitment to both retailer success and our long-term partnerships.
This leadership transition brings additional benefits. Our outgoing VP of North American Sales, Michael Taylor, will remain with Nordost in a new strategic position as OEM Sales Director. With 19 years at the company, Michael has played a central role in shaping Nordost’s sales strategy, growing a team of dedicated and informed sales representatives, and cultivating trusted relationships with our partners across North America. His experience will be an invaluable asset to Amy in the coming months.
“Passing the baton to Amy while staying onboard at Nordost is pretty amazing,” Michael said. “Unlike most companies that hire for this position externally, Nordost is taking a more thoughtful approach that ultimately benefits our dealer partners. Her experience in so many key departments gives her an unmatched perspective and the tools she needs to support our dealers’ continued success.”
In her new role, Amy will oversee Nordost’s North American Regional Sales Managers, implement and develop sales strategies, expand relationships within our exceptional dealer network, and manage sales programs tailored specifically to the North American market, all while upholding Nordost’s ongoing commitment to excellence, innovation, and customer success.
“Amy Hansen’s appointment as Vice President of North American Sales is a proud moment for Nordost and for me personally,” Nordost President, Paula Rotondo shared. “I have witnessed her journey through our company over the years. It’s clear that her deep understanding of our business, combined with her warmth and leadership acumen, will translate into success in this new role, and I’m excited to work with her in this new capacity.”
We are confident that Amy’s leadership will bring strong momentum to our sales efforts in North America. As she starts this new chapter, Amy shared her enthusiasm for what lies ahead:
“I am honored to step into this role at a company that has been my home since 2012. I’m excited to apply the experience I’ve gained here to drive continued growth in the North American market. I’m grateful for the opportunity to keep growing alongside such a dedicated team and am especially grateful to continue to work closely with our valued dealers and offer the exceptional support they’ve come to expect from my predecessor and friend, Michael.”
Please join us in congratulating Amy on this well-earned promotion.
Shortly after knocking on the front door of a quaint home-turned-into-hifi store in St Peters, Adelaide, Ben Adams, the owner of Hifi Guru, greeted me with a warm smile and a firm handshake.
Welcoming me with open arms, Ben swiftly showed me into one of his main listening rooms, proudly showcasing a Linn Klimax LP12, McIntosh, and Kharma Exquisite system. It was there we sat down for a chat, starting with reminiscing over our first meeting 19 years ago when Ben was working in a HiFi store in Melbourne, and then moving on to learn more about Ben and his current operation.
The driving force behind forming the Hifi Guru concept started in 2018. Having traveled Australia as a representative for a distributor, Ben was exposed to many retailers around the country. During his travels, he realized that, while South Australia had some level of audio representation, he believed his experience and knowledge would be a great asset to the hifi market of his home state. In particular, he felt that customers based in South Australia would benefit greatly from being able to audition high-end audio gear in their backyards, rather than having to travel to the west or east coasts of Australia.
This realization, coupled with a healthy dose of drive and entrepreneurial spirit, ultimately led Ben to take the leap and establish Hifi Guru. With a rich history in the audio world, including his first Nordost experience back when I met him 19 years ago at Carlton Audio Visual, Ben was up to the challenge of bringing hifi to Adelaide.
One of Ben’s deepest affinities for Nordost products stems from their ability to deliver positive experiences, rigorously backed by scientific principles. He’s a true believer in the philosophy of trusting one’s ears, then validating that experience with scientific understanding. For Ben, Nordost products excel because they “get out of the way of the music”, allowing the music to shine through.
The greatest source of pride for Ben in his business is the satisfaction of his customers. Their happiness is the ultimate testament to Hifi Guru’s mission. However, no business is without its hurdles. The sheer volume of product choices available today is a significant challenge. Ben’s ongoing task is to sift through the plethora of hifi products and identify the right solutions for his customers in a market that is oversaturated with options.
Looking to the future, Ben sees Hifi Guru as an ever-evolving entity. “The world is Hifi Guru’s oyster,” he says with a big smile, emphasizing the business’s adaptability. Hifi Guru’s development is entirely based on its customers’ interests; if they gravitate toward a particular aspect of audio, Hifi Guru learns and responds appropriately. There are no fixed end goals, only a continuous process of learning and adjusting to meet the customer’s needs.
We are thrilled to announce that Nordost’s QBASE Reference has been honored with the Mono & Stereo 2025 Editor’s Choice Award! In his in-depth review, Matej Isak explores how this flagship product redefines what a power distributor can do for a high-performance audio system. As he explains in his piece, power management is a uniquely complex and critical aspect of any high-end system, and the QB10 “doesn’t just deliver power–it elevates the entire system, allowing your components to perform at their absolute best.”
Matej describes the QBASE Reference as “unmistakably Nordost” applauding its ability to unravel “subtle intricacies and undeniable sonic benefits in spades.” With “unprecedented clarity and separation,” he notes that the QBASE Reference allows instruments and voices to emerge “with greater individuality and presence, each with its own distinct aura,” all while maintaining “a fluid, organic togetherness.”
This review also highlights how the QBASE Reference differentiates itself from its many competitors in the market. As he says, “Unlike many power distributors, whether entry-level or cost-no-object, the QBASE Reference rises above common limitations. It embodies a Zen-like balance, yet unleashes thunderous sonic energy with absolute authority when called upon — an equilibrium many aspire to, but few ever achieve.”
This review is more than just praise; it’s a testament to our commitment to pushing boundaries. As Matej writes, “The QBASE Reference represents Nordost’s relentless pursuit of innovation… a polyvalent, high-impact triumph. One that fully earns its place among the most significant products in today’s high-end audio landscape.”
Nordost products are designed to allow you to enjoy your favorite performances as they were intended to be heard. All of us here are passionate about great music, and want to share our passion with you. Each one of us has our own style… We listen to a wide variety of artists and genres but, in a way, we appreciate them all. We thought that we would share a few of the songs on our own personal playlists with you each month. Some may be classics, some may be brand new, some may not even be to your tastes, but we hope that there is something here for everyone.
Here are some of the songs that we will have on rotation this September.
You can now listen to our monthly playlist here: TIDAL | SPOTIFY | QOBUZ
Funeral – James Blake – Friends That Break Your Heart
There Is An End – The Greenhornes – Dual Mono
Where There Is Smoke – Dominique Fils-Aimé – Stay Tuned!
Paper Tiger – Dr. Lonnie Simth, David “Fathead” Newman – Bogaloo to Beck
Lorelei – Cocteau Twins – Treasure
La vipera – Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats – Nell’ ora blu
Money – Alex Skolnick Trio – Transformation
Fragile – Cassandra Wilson – Glamoured
Letter Home – moe. – Tin Cans and Car Tires (25th Anniversary Edition)
We’re proud to announce the official launch of the QNET7, our high-fidelity Layer-2 network switch!
In the pursuit of perfect sound, every detail counts. If you’re striving to extract every last nuance from your digitally sourced system, your network switch is a linchpin in achieving that goal. Engineered from the ground up, not adapted from pre-existing consumer-grade hardware, the QNET7 is the ultimate hifi network switch solution. The QNET7 minimizes the noise introduced in high-speed digital transmission, reduces jitter, and delivers uncompromised sonic performance. This is not just a switch; it’s a foundational component in any high-end digital setup.
The QNET7 offers compatibility as well as performance with its seven, purpose-specific ports, each tailored to a distinct role within a digital audio environment:
Ports 1–5: Auto-negotiated 1000BASE-T (1 Gbps) ports for high-speed connections to routers, NAS drives, and other network devices.
Port 6: Auto-negotiated 100BASE-TX (100 Mbps), optimized specifically for audio performance with added noise control—ideal for connecting streamers, servers, or DACs.
Port 7: Is compatible with 1000BASE-T (IEEE 802.3ab) and 1000BASE-LX/SX [802.3z-1998 (CL38)] SFP transceivers / modules, allowing it to be used as either an aftermarket RJ-45 or optical port, as needed.
Internally, the QNET7 houses nine ultra-low-noise, independent power supplies, to eliminate cross-contamination and interference between components. The result is enhanced clarity, precise imaging, and a noticeable increase in musical fidelity and realism.
Like all QRT products, listeners will enjoy optimal performance from the QNET7 when paired with other Nordost devices. When set up in a system with Nordost’s QSOURCE Linear Power Supply, QRT Stand Mounts, and Sort Kone resonance control devices, the QNET7 offers outstanding transient response and an improvement in sound staging.
The QNET7 Network Switch is a major foundational upgrade to any digital system that brings new dimensions to your streamed or stored music.
